St. Albans Fine Tuning Zone Read

The St. Albans football team will look for greater success this fall with second-year coach Steve Stoffel Jr. and his zone-read offense.

A traditionally power-I program, Stoffel implemented the spread offense last season. The Red Dragons showed flashes of understanding and brilliance, but ultimately sputtered to a 2-8 record following an 0-7 start. For my Daily Mail article on SA's progress, click here.

The Red Dragons return quarterbacks Noah Reed and Taylor Clark, who split time last season. Jacob Grigsby and Ryan Broderick will also battle as Stoffel said the competition for the starting QB role is open to whomever provides the best opportunity to win regardless of experience or past roles.

No matter the quarterback, there will be plenty of talented targets, including Grigsby should he not take the signal-caller position.

“We got three of our top four receivers back," Stoffel said. "Dakota Kelly will be a senior, who’s put in tremendous time and effort for his senior year, for not only him, but for his program. We’ve got Cole Medley, who is one of our top four receivers last year. We’ve got Jacob Grigsby, who may play quarterback, who was the third-leading receiver back, and then we have some other kids that started in skill positions back."

Terrell Lovejoy and Kevic Watkins list among other players Stoffel said he expects to make an impact at skill positions.

SA will take production from anyone it can at running back, following the graduation of talented tailback Drew Kirby.

“We have about five kids that we think will compete quite well to play that position," Stoffel said. "We will play as many as it takes to replace the 1,100-yard rusher that we lost. I’m looking forward to the competition.”

An improved offensive line will set the tone for the running backs.

“This year, we’ve still got decent-sized kids and we move a lot better," Stoffel said. "The kids put in the effort to get better and quicker and we got eight or nine kids we think we can play with up there right now.”

Like most programs during the summer, there's plenty of optimism surrounding the St. Albans football team. Stoffel said he hopes to make the most of the current three-week training period.

The Red Dragons will practice with Capital in a 7-on-7 at the University of Charleston's Laidley Field 4 p.m. Thursday.